October 1893

Dearest Elizabeth,

 

I hope you are well and I hope you will excuse my lateness in responding to your letter. I have been meaning to do so for several weeks, yet music has consumed much of my time, and oftentimes, spare moments are spent looking for other opportunities to play. But all is well. Paris is an excellent place to be. I am astonished by the wealth of culture and the abundance of musical endeavors one can pursue here.

Some weeks ago, I had the privilege of seeing the Belgian violinist Eugène Ysaÿe perform one of the Franck sonatas, during his visit to Paris. Though I was not much interested in the piece itself, his playing was terrific. During my time in Paris, I have been to other such small-scale and intimate performances by foreign violinists, which has opened my  eyes to the different techniques and methods of violin-playing.

I have even had the chance to speak with Debussy! I had overheard from several colleagues that he was staying at the home of his parent’s on the rue de Berlin, and one day, when I was passing through the street after a concert, I witnessed him sitting outside of a shop, drinking with a friend. I did not want to disturb him, but approached him anyway and spoke to him for quite a while, though I was unable to articulate anything of importance, for I was too awestricken. He noticed the violin on my back and I told him that I also played a bit of piano, explaining my familiarity with some of his works. If only I had been able to express to him the impact his works have had on myself and countless others! The abstraction and elegance of Debussy’s style, with such great dissonance at times, makes for very powerful music.

I have met many wonderful young musicians, including one particularly respectable flutist. He has a soft, yet undeniably present tone and manages to have a superb grasp of rhythm. I should think he will be a part of the great orchestras soon. I have learned much from the players in Paris and will continue to do so. I am constantly amazed by the abilities of those around me, each with his individual strengths and musical skills. Many of them are not Parisians and travel frequently in hopes of finding new work, so it is not often that I find myself with a companion of more than several months.

I will be coming back to America to visit in the near future, for there has been news from my sister that Mother is quite ill, and I shall no doubt see you when I return.

With warm regards, your friend,

Leonard